Push-button switch.



' A. K. SUTQ'HERLAND.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23 I915.

Patented Jan 21,1919.

lllllll aw ATTORNEY A/azdndkrjfl SutIwJ-I ana,

Fig. 1..

1 ENE CE.

ALEXANDER K. SUTHERLAND, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGN'OR TO THE TBUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PLAINVILLE, CON- NEC'I'ICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

I rusnmurrou swrron.

recess).

. Specification of Letters Iatcnt.

' Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application filed February 23, 1915. Serial No. 9,793.

To all whom c't may concern:

-vide a free flying quick movement of the moving element.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple positive mechanism in which during the nominal movement of an actuator a mul tiplied movement may be imparted to effect the release of the locking elements and per mit rc-locking of the elements.

v A still further object is to provide a main actuator bar and a supplemental actuator moved by the bar to actuate the releasing mechanism with a minimum of friction and with a substantially direct thrust upon the release.

Referring to the drawings:

' Figure l is a sectional view through a-receptacle and parts of the push button switch showing the contacts in engagement.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view substantially at right angles to the parts as illus trated in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 illustrates the parts with one of the push buttons descending in the operation of throwing the switch blade.

Fig. 4; is a view of the parts simliar to that of Fig. 3 with the release mechanism about to disconnect.

Fig. 5 shows the parts imlmediately after the release of the locking mechanism has taken place. s

Fig. 6 is a view. illustrative of the various parts of the mechanism in their general position of assembly, said parts being shown in perspective.

It is not new' in the art to provide a. frame member, an oscillatory switch blade, an actuator bar and means such as switch buttons for moving the actuator barnor is it new in the art to provide a locking memher for the oscillatory switch blade which will hold said blade in a fixed position, pending a tensioning of the spring member for quickly moving the oscillating switch blade.

It has become an all important feature of switch constructions in the art to provide against lost motion and to insure permanency and regularity of action. in the movement of the oscillatory switch blade. It is also most desirable to provide a mechanism in which the movements of the actuating parts shall be reduced to a minimum in order to permitthe construction of a device of con'lparatively small though with fully accurate action within a reasonable condensed space.

The present invention has to deal with the features of advantage demanded in this art actuating members, a perfect release of the tensioned oscillatin switch blade maybe secured and a positive locking of the parts may be insured. Much of the detail of the mechanism is well lmown in the art and needs no detail description.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a porcelain receptacle or other suitable insulator within which are suitably 8.1'7 ranged the stationary contacts 2, 3, which may be of any desired preferred form. Suitably fitting the ipper edge of the receptacle 1, there is a metallic su porting frame 4 ha ving suitable peribrations through which the push buttons 5, 6 extend and having dependent arms 7, 8 at or near the lower end of which is supported and borne the main mechanism of the switch. 'lhedependcnt arm 7 has a slot 8 which has projecting through it the lug 9 of a detent plate 10. This plate is provided with an elongated perforation 11 which encircles the main ,m ot 12 upon which the oscillatinc parts move. Ihe lug 9 projecting through the guide slot 8" insures a reciprocating motion of the plate 10 in a. definite pivot 12 passes. The insulators and the oscillatory switch blade 14 are provided with a similar central pivotal opening through which the pivot 12 may pass.

The lower end of the detent plate is of a form suitable to impinge against either side of the yoke bar 16 and prevent oscillatory movement of the yoke and the switch a form that as the blade 14 until it is withdrawn. i

For actuating the yoke member and the switch bar 14, an a'ctuatoiflbar 21" is provided which has a hub extending between the dependent members 7 and 8 and upon which hub is arranged a two-armed spring 23. Atthe lower end of the actuator bar 21, there is a lu 24 which rests between the. two arms of the spring 23. This spring is so positioned that its arms also ex tend on opposite sides of the bar 16 and the hub 22 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot. 12.

It is apparent thata movement of: the actuator bar 21 through the push, buttons 5, (i would ordinarily carry with it the yoke '15 inasmuch as the bar 16 of the yoke is straddled by the arms oi the spring 23.

Motion of the yoke-bar 10 is prevented'by its engagement with the lower end 13 of the detent plate 10 andsaid detent plate is'normalty depressed and held in locking engagement by a spring 10 secured to the dependent frame member 8, as at 10", and can only release. the yoke member 16 when it is raised out of engagement therewith.

l pon the side of the detent plate 10, there is a stud 9, whichiorms an abutment by which the detent plate 10 may he raised or movedso that its lower end 13 will be moved outelf obstructing position with reference to the yoke bar 16. v

Normally resting upon the actuator bar 21 is a cam-plate 2:) having an enlarged central pertor'atipn 26 which gives it some freedom of moveii'ient with reference to the main pivot 12. This cam plate'25 is provided with lugs 27 which overlie the upper edge of 'the actuator bar-21 and the. lower edge of the plate is curved as at 28 to correspond with its general radial line of movement as regards the main pivot 12. This perforation 2t; encircles a bearing nipple"2( projecting from the actuator bar 21 andwhich in reality is the inner end of the sleeve. or bar-rel 22 v not correspond to the form of the lower edge of the actuator bar 21 but is of such actuator bar 21 is depressed the lower edge of the ram plate 25.

will impinge against the edges of the yoke bar'lfir As'the actuator bar is depressed. this impingement of the lower side 28 of the-cam plate owing to its perforation 26 will cause It to rise sntliciently at its oppo-t site end to give practicallya direct thrust buttons.

The cam plate 25 at itsloweredge 28 does upon the stucb 9. Thereupon the detent 7 plate 10 will be released, while under full tension of the spring 23. This operation of the parts is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, where it is clearly shown that {116;[6155 a' relative movement between the cam plate25 and the actuator bar 21 during a'n oscillation of i by 'direct contactv the impiuginglugs 27 until its lower edge 28 is brought into engagement and rides upon the edge of the yoke bar 16. Thereupon its further oscillatorv movement is re-- tarded and it is forced upward so that its upper edge 28 engages the lug 9 and presses the detent. plate 10 upward until its lower end 13 releases the yoke bar 16. This vokc bar being new under full tension of the spring 23 flies forward for its full movement.

The movement of the yoke bar 16 is limited by stops 7 formed at the lower ends ofthe dependent members 7 and 8. As soon as the cam plate has released the yoke bar 16 by impinging against the lug 9 and raising the detent plate 10. it assumes a position with its lugs 27 overlying the upper edge of the actuator bar 21 and the yoke of the detent plate. 10. The. sides of the lower end of the detent plate 10 are beveled as at 1- and lirmlyhold the yoke bar 16 against the stops 7 under the tension of the spring 10. It will be seen from the above description that the cam plate 25 has a nominal oscillatory movement with the actuator bar 21 but as soon as its lower curved edge 28 rides against thebar 16. it has suhstantially a direct longitudinal movement.

so that.- there, is a direct upward "thrust against the stud 9 I tioh or wiping-movements. With this arrangement of parts, every movement of the actuating buttons 5. 6 maybe transmitted etfe'ctn'e y to provide a locking and releasing action of the detent plate 10 without of motion and without undue friction. I

-The advantages of the structure are at once apparent. A full oscillatory movement may be given to the actuator bar 21 nvithout placing undue duty upon it and as /it is oscillated, it carries the plate 25 on a longleverage t'hrougl'i its lugs 2'? until the losswithout undue cam f-rie- 3.0% bar 16 passes over the lower curved end '13 i i lower edge 28 of the plate rides easily upon 'tion at the'end of each ,latory switch blade.

The device i's, simple in construction; and cheap in its'manufa'cture "as" all of the "elements may be formed fromhstamp 'ed xup metal. Theparts may also be assembled with great facility as a single stud 12 serves as a rotative center for all "oscillatory and reciprocating movements. l

What I claim as my'invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent i's:

- 1.- In a, device of'the character described,

a supporting frame, an oscillating switch blade, a yoke, bearing said blade, an actuator bar,-a reciprocating sliding-detent, plate provided at itslower end waameans for locking the switch blade yoke, a cam plate loosely mounted upon and movable with the vEN) actuator bar. and having a free moyement with reference thereto, and arranged to impinge against said yoke upon a predeterf minedm'ovement of the actuator bar and cam plate, a and be thereby tilted with at,

n 3 erence to said actuator bar, sa1 d cam plate being arranged upon being tilted, to move s itch e yqk p I 2. Ina snap switch, a supportmg 'frame,

the detent plate, thereby releasing the an oscillating switch blade,a switch blade yoke. for moving said bladp'a', an oscillating actuator. .bar spring-connected with the switch bladeyoke, a reciprocating detent, the lower .end ofwhich engages said yoke for locking the same, a cam plate for operating the detent, having a fr'ee'rnovement :with reference to, and an oscillating movement with, the a'ctuatbrfbar, and having an oscillating movement independent of its movement with said, bar, said plate 1mpinging upon theygke'nearjthe endlof each" oscillation thereof, whereby 1t1's tilted to raise the detent, and means for oscillating the actuator bar.

' 3. In a snap switch, a supporting frame having a dependent member avmg spaced stops at the end thereof, a pivoted yoke hav-' ing a yoke bar arranged to impinge against said stops, a switch blade earned by the yoke, an oscillating actuator" bar pivoted concentrically with reference to the yoke, a

spring connection between the actuator bar and yoke, a reciprocating 'detent,th e lower end of which holds the yoke bar against one or the other of the stops,-and a cam plate loosely mounted upon and oscillating with with the actuatorbar ment of the cam the actuator bar and havingan exaggerated movement independent 0 its movement with the bar, said plate being arranged to impinge upon the" yoke bar and to be there-.

by given the said exaggerated movement, which movement-operates the detent to release the yoke bar. I

4. In a snap switch, a supporting frame,

a yoke pivoted in the frame, aswitch' blade carried by the yoke, a ivoted actuator; bar,-

\ a-reciprocating detent or looking the yoke,

formed with an opening surrounding the yoke pivot andcopstitutlng a aids for the detent, an: oscillatin cam pate (mo able jliut free to have :1 limited movement with reference thereto, the

cam plate having'interengagement with the actuator 'bar to cause them tom'ove together, and a cam surface arranged to impinge upon the yoke as it is moved and causethe moveactuator bar as it e latter a proaches its extreme limit of movement, the cam plate being arranged to move the detent to re lease the. yoke as it is tllus moved relative to the actuator bar. i

\ a ,5. Infa snap switch, a supporting frame having dependent members, one of said members having a guide slot, a detent having a lug extending into said slot, an oscillating actuator bar, a switch bar having a late independent of theyoke. said yoke and actuator bar mounted upon a common pivot, a spring connecting the actuator bar and vyoke. a cam plate losely mounted upon the pivot of the actuator: bar and yoke and provided with lugs adapted to normally engage the u ered of 'said bar above its pivot whereliiy the 23% =tuator bar, and .ca m plate oscillatetogetiier,

and having asiu face arranged to impinge upon the yoke as the actuator bar "'ap--'. proaches its limit of movement, whereby the cam plateis caused to move relative to the actuator bar, the lug. on the detent being adapted to be engaged by the cam plate upon an oscillation of the actuator bar as said cam plate impinges against; the yoke,

ment of the actuator, bar."

a detent, an oscillating Switchblade yoke and switch blade, an oscillating actuator bar, said bar and switch blade yoke having spr ng interconnections,;a' cam plate mountwhereby a release ofthe yoke is eifected at substantially the-completion of the'moveg e rm 6. In asnap s\v, 1tch,- a supporting frame,

ed for oscillation with, and having a free movement with reference to, the oscillating movementof the" actuator bar the lower edge of the cam plate beingarranged toimpinge against the yoke as the actuator bar approaches the :limitof its movement, in either direction, thereby causing thefree movement of the cam "plate relative thereto; interengaging lugs between the actuator bar and cam plate, saidflugsengaging the benefit its lower edge against the yoke, said engagementand impingement causing an amplified movement of the cam plate and a re- I lease of the detent.

7.111 a snap switch, a. supporting frame, an oscillating switch blade.',a yoke therefor, an oscillating actuator bar, a detent plate mounted for supporting frame and adapted through its lower end to lock the yoke, a cam plate having'. lugs engaging the upper edge of the. actuator bar attwo points onoppositelsides, of the pivotal center of said bar andwiththe lower edge of said plate adapted to, im pinge upon the yeoka'whereby an amplified releasing movement of the cam plate is at fected during oscillation of the actuator against the yoke and the switch bar .tion :of the sliding 1 plate and encircling switch blade yoke,

bar, and a lug, upon the detent plate adapted to be engaged by the cam plate, whereby the detent plate is moved at the completion of the oscillating movements of the actuator bar. r p

8. In a device of the character described. an oscillating actuator bar, a switch bar, a yoke therefor, a detentpl'ate, the lower end of which holds said, yoke at opposite'limits of its throw against fixed stops, a floating cam 'plate loosely connected with the actuator bar and movable therewith but having an amplified movement with respect thereto, said cam plate adapted to impinge also to impinge upon. upon opposite sides of its center of oscillation, whereby an amplified movement ofthe'cam plate is effected inthc line of movement of the detent plate, and a lug on aid detent plate engaged by'the cam plate.

9. In a device of the characterdescribed,- a sup-porting having dependent frame members, a switch blade, a switch blade yoke', said parts pivotally mounted'in the dependent frame members, a detent plate having a portion that is slidably mounted" in one of the dependent frame members and having a slot elongated in the direc= movement of the detent the pivot of the pivoted members and carrying at its lower'end a locking and releasing ymeans for the stops against; which the frame switch blade yoke is ilate having a sliding reciprocation in the locked by the lower end of the deteiit plate at opposite limits oi the .throw of said yoke, a cam floating and actuator bar and is also free to as the actuator bar reaches a definite position inits movement, said plate adapted to impinge upon the switch blade vyoke during its movement by the actuator bar whereby it is moved relative to the actuator bar, and an abutment upon the detent plate adapted to be engaged by the cam plate it is moved relative to the actuator bar. 1

10. In combination in a snap switch haw ing an oscillatory switch blade, a reciprocatingdetent for locking said switch blade having' locking and releasing actions with respect to said'switch blade, a pivot upon which said switchblade'is mounted, of an oscillatoryactuator bar Spring connected with the Switchblade and having an anew lar movement-with reference to the pivot thereof within fixed limit-s, a cam plate having a free movement with inference to and move relative thereto oscillatingwith the actuator bar during the angular movement of thelatter and having an angular displacement with. reference to the supporting pivot. greater than the, angular movement of the actuator bar, and interconmeeting means between-the 'oam plate and detent whereby the amplified" limits of its throw, a pivot'upon which said switch blade is mounted, an oscillating actuator bar spring-connected with the switch blade andhaving an angular movement with reference to the pivot ot' the switch blade, :1 floatingcam plate having an engagement with the actuator .bar and having an angu- I lar movement with inference to the pivot amthrough movement of the actuator bar, and means ot engagement between the cam plate anddetennwhereby the amplified te transangular movement of the cam pl the switch mitted to the 'detent and releases hlade '(luring; the angular movement of the I r v actuator bar. p A, EXANDER K. SUTHERLAN'D.

Witnesses: v V I CLARENCE 'D; ILATT,

"FRANKLTMWHEELER. i 

